New Zealand’s 20th Governor-General sworn in

NZ Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae

On 31 August Lieutenant General Sir Jerry Mateparae became Governor-General of the Realm of New Zealand (ie Head of State) when he was sworn in at a ceremony in Wellington. He will serve for a five-year term.

Sir Jerry is the twentieth person to hold the post of New Zealand Governor-General, replacing Sir Anand Satyanand who served from 2006 to 2011.

Governor-General Mateparae served for many years as an officer in the New Zealand Defence Force, and held the position of Chief of Defence Force in 2006-10. He was then appointed Director of the NZ Government Communications Security Bureau.

Governor-General Mateparae is the second Maori leader to hold the position, after Sir Paul Reeves (1985-90). He and his wife Janine Mateparae have five children.

The Governor-General’s official title for correspondence will be “His Excellency Lieutenant General The Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae GNZM QSO, Governor-General of New Zealand”. Further information on Sir Jerry and the role of Governor-General is available here.